Migration movements
In 2009/10, there were 45,719 people approved for permanent residence through 24,932 applications. 62% of approvals were through the Skilled/Business Stream, 32% through the two family-sponsored streams, and 6 % through the International/Humanitarian Stream. The United Kingdom was the largest source country of permanent residence approvals in 2009/10 (17%).
Around 1.37 million people were granted a temporary visitor, student, or work permit on their arrival in New Zealand in 2009/10. New Zealand’s tourism industry has been adversely affected by the global economic recession, with total visitor numbers in 2009/10 down 2% on the previous year.
In 2009/10, 130,002 individuals were issued work permits, which was a 5% decrease on the previous year. Although some categories of work permit showed strong growth, this was largely offset by a large decrease in the number of essential skills work permits (labour-related migration). The United Kingdom is New Zealand’s largest source of temporary workers, many of whom enter as working holidaymakers.
In 2009/10, 73,432 international students were approved to study in New Zealand. China remains the largest source country of international students, followed by South Korea and India.
Stock of overseas-born population
As at 30 June 2010, the population of New Zealand was estimated at 4,367,700. As of the 2006 census, 23 % of people usually living in New Zealand were overseas-born. The greatest source regions were the United Kingdom/Irish Republic and Asia, each contributing 29 % of the overseas-born population.
Employment status of the overseas-born population
The Household Labour Force Survey, published by Statistics New Zealand, shows that the labour force participation rate for those who have resided in New Zealand for up to 10 years was 69.4 % in 2009/10 compared with the national annual average of 68.1 %.
Source: International Migration Outlook – New Zealand 2009/10 - Department of Labour (April 2011)
For more information on emigrating to new Zealand, contact Migration Bureau |
